METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING ANEURYSMS AND OTHER VASCULAR DEFECTS

摘要

Devices and methods are disclosed for placing a barrier across the neck of a vascular aneurysm, and specifically across the neck of a cerebrovascular aneurysm. The barrier is a stent (10) or neck bridge that completely or partially blocks the flow of blood into the aneurysm and further, prevents the migration of embolic coils out of the aneurysm and into the parent vessel. The neck bridge or the stent (10) of the present invention comprises elements for superior flexibility and stability when placed within the parent vessel. The neck bridge or stent (10) of the present invention is loaded into the catheter (31) by either being rolled tightly and sheathed or stretched to permit loading into the delivery catheter (31) in a small, highly flexible configuration that may be advanced through the cerebrovasculature to pathological aneurysms.